Maha to measure and map subdivided land plots; 18 talukas selected for pilot
The initiative comes in response to long-standing discrepancies between the 7/12 land extract (a crucial land ownership document in Maharashtra) and official land maps. Over the years, as families expanded and inherited land was divided among heirs, a large number of informal subdivisions took place without corresponding updates in government records. Often, these sub-plots exist in practice but are neither reflected in the official maps nor in the 7/12 extract, causing serious challenges in legal ownership, construction, and transactions involving land.
Suhas Diwase, state commissioner of land records and settlement commissioner, said, 'In the first phase, around 4.77 lakh land survey numbers across the selected talukas will be physically measured and their records updated. A draft set of operational guidelines has already been developed on how the measurement will be carried out, how technical challenges will be addressed, and how many surveyors and how much manpower will be required for the task. The final guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be framed after analysing the practical implementation and resolving any technical hurdles that arise during the pilot.'
'We have undertaken this initiative to measure and map individual sub-plots under each survey number, based on actual ownership as seen on the ground similar to what was done under the SVAMITVA scheme. This will significantly help in updating the land records,' Diwase said.
'The department has divided the pilot into six administrative regions, and private agencies will be appointed separately for each region. These agencies will operate under the supervision of government officials to ensure accuracy and transparency,' Diwase informed.
The 18 talukas featured in the pilot have been selected from the six divisions in the state from 18 different districts such as Pune, Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Solapur, Sangli, Dhule, Jalgaon, Chandrapur and Kolhapur among others.
With families having expanded over time, resulting in extensive subdivision of land holdings, the new owners' names may appear in the 7/12 extract but the corresponding maps are either outdated or missing. In many cases, land is being used and shared based on informal subdivisions without official recognition, making it difficult to undertake construction or apply for loans. Even when partition of land has taken place among family members, physical boundaries on the ground have not been surveyed and marked officially. This disconnect has left landowners without proper documentation or legal clarity, leading to disputes and developmental delays.
'To resolve this, the department aims to bring parity between the textual records (7/12 extract) and spatial records (cadastral maps), making them legally and practically reliable. The measurement work is expected to begin in the next month after the appointment of the private agencies. The exercise is expected to streamline land administration, reduce disputes, and boost rural development and real estate activity in the long term,' Diwase said.
Currently, land records include maps and dimensions of original land parcels listed under the owners' names. However, over time, these parcels have often been divided among family members, with each wanting a separate registration in their name. This process is called the subdivision of land parcels. It may be noted that the names of the beneficiaries along with the areas are noted in the 'rights' section of the 7/12 record of rights but there is no separate map or dimensions noted or shared.
This lack of precise mapping often leads to disputes among family members, especially when one of them attempts to sell his/her share of the land to a third party. Confusion over boundaries frequently results in conflicts, legal cases, and even criminal complaints. Farmers cannot avail government schemes and loans based on the current situation without mutual consent which also acts as a tool for harassment. The department has therefore decided to ensure that the dimensions of such subdivisions are in place and a map is also given to the members.
'With proper maps and individual records in place, landowners will have exclusive rights to develop, trade, and access government schemes independently for their land parcel/s. The process involves community engagement, verification of land records, and the use of drones to survey and map the land. The maps will be finalised in consultation with the stakeholders before being officially issued,' concluded Diwase.
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Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Maha to measure and map subdivided land plots; 18 talukas selected for pilot
PUNE: In a bid to streamline land ownership records, the Maharashtra land records department has launched a project to measure and map subdivided land plots (sub-holdings) across the state. As part of the pilot, 18 talukas have been selected where the measurement and mapping work will be carried out with the help of private agencies. The tendering process to appoint these agencies is currently underway. Pune, India - Aug. 6, 2018: Land of Purandar Airport in Pune, India, on Monday, August 6, 2018. (Photo by Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)(Purandar Airport Story) The initiative comes in response to long-standing discrepancies between the 7/12 land extract (a crucial land ownership document in Maharashtra) and official land maps. Over the years, as families expanded and inherited land was divided among heirs, a large number of informal subdivisions took place without corresponding updates in government records. Often, these sub-plots exist in practice but are neither reflected in the official maps nor in the 7/12 extract, causing serious challenges in legal ownership, construction, and transactions involving land. Suhas Diwase, state commissioner of land records and settlement commissioner, said, 'In the first phase, around 4.77 lakh land survey numbers across the selected talukas will be physically measured and their records updated. A draft set of operational guidelines has already been developed on how the measurement will be carried out, how technical challenges will be addressed, and how many surveyors and how much manpower will be required for the task. The final guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be framed after analysing the practical implementation and resolving any technical hurdles that arise during the pilot.' 'We have undertaken this initiative to measure and map individual sub-plots under each survey number, based on actual ownership as seen on the ground similar to what was done under the SVAMITVA scheme. This will significantly help in updating the land records,' Diwase said. 'The department has divided the pilot into six administrative regions, and private agencies will be appointed separately for each region. These agencies will operate under the supervision of government officials to ensure accuracy and transparency,' Diwase informed. The 18 talukas featured in the pilot have been selected from the six divisions in the state from 18 different districts such as Pune, Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Solapur, Sangli, Dhule, Jalgaon, Chandrapur and Kolhapur among others. With families having expanded over time, resulting in extensive subdivision of land holdings, the new owners' names may appear in the 7/12 extract but the corresponding maps are either outdated or missing. In many cases, land is being used and shared based on informal subdivisions without official recognition, making it difficult to undertake construction or apply for loans. Even when partition of land has taken place among family members, physical boundaries on the ground have not been surveyed and marked officially. This disconnect has left landowners without proper documentation or legal clarity, leading to disputes and developmental delays. 'To resolve this, the department aims to bring parity between the textual records (7/12 extract) and spatial records (cadastral maps), making them legally and practically reliable. The measurement work is expected to begin in the next month after the appointment of the private agencies. The exercise is expected to streamline land administration, reduce disputes, and boost rural development and real estate activity in the long term,' Diwase said. Currently, land records include maps and dimensions of original land parcels listed under the owners' names. However, over time, these parcels have often been divided among family members, with each wanting a separate registration in their name. This process is called the subdivision of land parcels. It may be noted that the names of the beneficiaries along with the areas are noted in the 'rights' section of the 7/12 record of rights but there is no separate map or dimensions noted or shared. This lack of precise mapping often leads to disputes among family members, especially when one of them attempts to sell his/her share of the land to a third party. Confusion over boundaries frequently results in conflicts, legal cases, and even criminal complaints. Farmers cannot avail government schemes and loans based on the current situation without mutual consent which also acts as a tool for harassment. The department has therefore decided to ensure that the dimensions of such subdivisions are in place and a map is also given to the members. 'With proper maps and individual records in place, landowners will have exclusive rights to develop, trade, and access government schemes independently for their land parcel/s. The process involves community engagement, verification of land records, and the use of drones to survey and map the land. The maps will be finalised in consultation with the stakeholders before being officially issued,' concluded Diwase.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
World Bank flags Mumbai flood zones where rents are 25% lower; Delhi leads in river flood exposure
The World Bank's report Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India has identified a few areas in Mumbai as coastal flooding hotspots, warning that rising sea levels could severely impact coastal cities by 2100. Mumbai Rains: The World Bank's report Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India has identified a few areas in Mumbai as coastal flooding hotspots, warning that rising sea levels could severely impact coastal cities by 2100. (Picture for representational purposes only)(Pratik Chorge / HT Photo) The report highlights that affordable housing and proximity to jobs often compel the urban poor to settle in high flood-risk zones. In Mumbai, for instance, rents in such vulnerable areas are typically 20–25% lower than the city average. Delhi has the largest built-up areas exposed to river-related flooding, the report noted. Mumbai, Surat and Kolkata most affected cities According to the World Bank report, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Surat are likely to be among the most affected Indian cities due to rising sea levels. In Greater Mumbai, southern parts could face regular flooding or be surrounded by water during high tides, while sea water may also seep into new settlements in Navi Mumbai and northern suburbs through natural waterways. Even without any expansion beyond 2015 boundaries, Greater Mumbai could have 210 sq km of exposed settlements by 2100, the highest among Indian cities. Kolkata shows a similar, though smaller-scale, risk pattern. In Surat, the newer built-up areas on the western side are most vulnerable, the report notes. The report, citing Aqueduct, a global flood analyzer, warns that the annual cost of coastal flooding in urban areas could surge from $2.4 billion in 2010 to $21 billion by 2030, and a staggering $75 billion by 2050 if no preventive action is taken. Also Read: Flood and heatwave risks increasing in urban India, $2.4 trillion investment required: World Bank Coastal flooding explained According to the report, storm surges and tropical cyclones can cause sharp rises in sea levels, triggering severe coastal flooding in urban areas. India is particularly vulnerable to such events, especially during the monsoon season from June to October. On average, two to four tropical cyclones affect the country each year, with states like West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu being the worst hit. The Bay of Bengal, one of the most cyclone-prone regions globally, sees five to six tropical cyclones annually. Of India's 7,500 km coastline, around 5,700 km are exposed to intense cyclones and flooding. Notably, 40% of the country's population lives within 100 km of the coast, predominantly in densely populated urban areas. The report highlights that West Bengal faces the highest risk of mortality and damage in built-up areas due to coastal flooding, largely because of the extreme population density in and around Kolkata, where settlements are vulnerable to both coastal and pluvial (rain-related) flooding. Also Read: Mumbai Rains: Housing transactions impacted as homebuyers' walk-ins slow down during monsoon Urban expansion has altered the flood risk profile According to the report, urban expansion has significantly altered the flood risk profile of many areas, placing more than two-thirds of the urban population at risk. India's numerous coastal cities and those located along major river floodplains are particularly vulnerable. As urbanisation increases surface impermeability, even areas once considered low-risk are now experiencing frequent flooding. This includes cities situated in the upper parts of watersheds, such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Indore. Delhi has the largest built-up areas exposed to river-related flooding According to the report, built-up areas exposed to fluvial (river-related) flooding in selected Indian cities nearly doubled between 1985 and 2015, reaching 1,683 sq km by 2015. This trend is especially evident in cities with previously low flood risk or those located in upper watersheds such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Indore which now face frequent flash floods. In riverine cities, urban expansion on both sides of rivers enabled by modern bridge infrastructure has significantly increased flood exposure. In large cities like Delhi and Surat, embankments have been constructed to contain river flow. However, while these may reduce local flooding, they can increase flood heights downstream, the report noted. Among the cities analysed, Delhi has the largest built-up area exposed to fluvial flooding, the report noted. Does coastal flooding impact rentals? Coastal and pluvial flooding significantly impact rental patterns, particularly for the urban poor. According to the report, pluvial flood zones, typically found in low-lying, poorly drained areas, are often where low-income populations reside. Global data suggests that affordability and proximity to jobs drive the urban poor to settle in high flood-risk zones despite the hazards. Also Read: Mumbai Rains: How waterlogging and flooding impact the financial capital's property market In Mumbai, for instance, rents in flood-prone areas are 20%–25% lower than the city average. Similarly, in Kolkata, two of the three most flood-prone boroughs within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area are home to over 50% of the city's urban poor, highlighting how vulnerability and affordability are closely linked, the report noted.
Time of India
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- Time of India
Gujarat government waives ₹200 ownership certificate fee under SVAMITVA scheme
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